This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 24th day of September, 1942, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [412], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the entity [412], in the office, ..., N.Y.C., who who seeks information, advice and guidance as to his life and work, considering the possibility of his being drafted in the Army. You will answer the questions he has submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [412]; this we have had before.
3. Ready for questions.
4. (Q) Can you give me any assistance in finding my way towards being a channel of helpfulness, of blessings, and of hope to others?
   (A) This necessarily must come as an answer of the divine within self; hence preconcludes the entity's consciousness of its relationship to the Creator.
   For, as He who is the way, the truth and the light, came into the world to teach men, to live in such a manner as to convince men that they as individuals are indeed the sons of God and that they should live like such, - thus it behooves EVERYONE that seeks to be a channel of blessing, of hope to others, to first study and know what His life and His precepts are. They are not past finding out. For He has revealed and does reveal Himself to those who seek to know His biddings.
   These are not mere words, then, wherein He says: "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if ye will open I will enter in."
   Thus ye seek to know what He would have thee do, knowing - as He hath given - that in the manner, in the way ye treat thy fellow man, ye are treating thy Lord, thy God.
   Thus it may be given: Study to show thyself approved unto that thou hast learned, thou mayest learn of Him; rightly emphasizing all phases of thy relationships to thy God, to thy fellow man, and keeping self unspotted from condemnation of self or of others.
5. (Q) Can I find help through meditation, or in any other way, when I must solve vital problems, as for instance the sudden impossibility of securing buttons?
   (A) These are very material; yet if the life is so lived that ye are worthy of being pointed out or shown where and how such may be obtained, ye will find the way.
6. (Q) Will I be able to solve with such help all the continuous problems which seem to try, one after another, to put me out of business?
   (A) If thy business is in keeping with that which is a manner of being of service to thy fellow man, ye will not be put out of business.
   If ye use spiritual guidance, spiritual direction, that ye may ensnare or use thy fellow man for thine own self-aggrandizement, thine own self-indulgencies, ye do so to thine own undoing.
   Let thy life and thy business, then, be such that is in keeping with that way in which ye serve a living God; and ye may be sure it has its place in His way with the world.
7. (Q) Is there a possibility of my being drafted by Local Board #731 - considering my support of parents, wife and possibly a child?
   (A) There is a possibility. This depends upon the attitude of individuals. And these change according to circumstances, that are not - ofttimes not - of a spiritual nature. As to whether they will or will not depends upon their OWN way of thought.
8. (Q) Should I consider enlistment rather than waiting to be drafted?
   (A) This can only be determined within self. Be sincere, and just as sincere with self and with country as ye desire that God be sincere with thee.
   If the love of that for which the country in which ye reside stands, from which ye expect and desire to obtain a livelihood, is such that ye would have thine own son, thine own self, thine own wife live in same, and ye wish to defend same against what has been or may be presented, - then the choice is within self.
   If it is to be seen, or to evade something, that is not a conviction within self, - THEN it would be sin to enlist. These are the factors, then.
   What are the dictates of thy conscience?
9. (Q) What branch of the service should I try to enter?
   (A) This is precluding that ye are choosing to enter! But consider well that which has just been given thee. And DO NOT that thy conscience would condemn in thine own self.
   But, if there is the desire to remain in the same character of business as in the present, - if there is the choice to enlist, - then enter that branch where the entity may serve in enabling the Supply of those branches of service, in keeping with that in which the entity is already engaged.
   If there is the desire to change from same, then choose those activities in which ye have had training or direction.
   Remember, ye are choosing thyself as ye would have thy Maker choose thee!
10. (Q) To avoid enlistment or drafting, would there be any value to my reentering my former profession of mechanical engineering?
    (A) As just outlined for the entity. For, remember, this conflict will NOT be always. There must come a time when man will turn to - of necessity - the Creative Influence in the experience of all.
11. (Q) Since my business offers the best outlet for my spiritual and mental abilities, what opportunity could be offered by service in the army?
    (A) Just as indicated.
12. (Q) Is my attitude incorrect in not considering this service as a duty or obligation since I am not in sympathy with the continuance of this offensive war - only if it should mean defending my country?
    (A) This you may answer only in thyself. For, no one answers for thee. That thou hast considered and dost consider, that ye must answer for before thy Maker.
13. (Q) Should the firm still move in January or later, considering the present unsettled conditions and expense involved?
    (A) This, too, must be considered from circumstance - the involvement of all things concerned. It may be possible that the better policy would be to remain in the present location through or during the present unpleasantness, or for the duration.
14. (Q) Then, - should Staten Island or Brooklyn be considered?
    (A) This, as has been indicated. [See 412-15, Par. R1.]
15. (Q) Would such a move cause any difficulties in keeping our present trained employees?
    (A) All of these must be considered.
16. (Q) Should the danger of bombing or any other earth upheaval be given any consideration in making this decision?
    (A) Not for the present.
17. (Q) If the saving would not be enough to more than counterbalance the expense of keeping in close contact with the material market which is centered around us now, should the move nevertheless be considered for any other reasons?
    (A) These are as just indicated. All of these should be weighed in the balance. The variations as to keeping in contact with help, the expense of moving, and the curtailments and the possibilities of those associated with same being drafted into service, - and if these do not outweigh, remain where you are for the present.
18. (Q) Please give any other advice that might benefit, and then find the body to see whether any further advice should be given as to physical conditions.
    (A) Weight well all that has been given here. Be not deceived, - God is not mocked, and with whatsoever purpose and intent an individual moves or acts toward self or others, with that same measure is it meted to thee again.
19. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self - Special Delivery
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 412-13 on 1/23/42 in re his life and work.
2. 9/09/42 He submitted questions.
3. See 641-9 on 9/02/42.

REPORTS

1. 8/29/46 "We are very busy getting ready to move our plant to Staten Is."
2. 9/25/42 Mr. [641]'s ltr. to GD: "Mr. [412] got his rdg. alright on Fri. a.m. (in time for his appointment) and he asks me to thank you very much."
3. 4/08/43 Dear Mr. Cayce:
   You probably are aware of the difficulties which our Armed Forces have in fighting in tropical climates. The latest reports indicate that 70 per cent of them are suffering from malaria as well as yellow fever.
   Due to the fact that the Dutch Islands are invaded by the enemy, the medical remedy which came from those islands cannot be secured any longer, which makes the suffering of our fellow Americans so much greater.
   As of late, the Rockfeller Institute has come out with a request to everybody for suggestions on a remedy of this situation. I was wondering whether the Association would be interested in having a reading on this subject and submitting its findings to the Institute. I believe this would be a worth-while contribution to our war efforts. Not only the war would be helped but what is more important, the suffering of human beings would be lessened. Anything you may see fit to do will be a great service.
   Hoping the hear from you on this subject, I remain with best personal regards from [457] and myself,
   Sincerely yours, [412]
4. 4/10/43 EC's letter:
   Thanks for yours of the 8th - how are you both? As regards the subject mentioned, there is a Research Foundation there in N.Y. who has already written me about this, the Dr. in charge is examining some data now to see if he feels further research in this will be helpful to them.
   But thanks a million.
   H. L. went into service yesterday, leaves us a bit flat here, and much of the research department will be held up owing to that fact.
   Thanks a lot let us hear from you all.
   With love to you both, Edgar Cayce
5. 8/19/43 He requested Life Rdg. 3172-1 for his baby daughter and a Ck. Physical for his wife, Mrs. [457].
6. See subsequent notations under Life Rdg. 412-5 Reports.
7. 5/24/93 Wife's letter:
   Dear Family and Friends,
   My beloved husband Adolph passed away May 19, 1993 in Germany. He was not ill at all. He had showered, shaved, and dressed except for his shoes. Then he started gasping for breath. I did what I could and called for emergency help but I believe he was gone even before they came. The doctor said that his heart had just stopped.
   He said many times that this had been the best trip we had ever had to Europe. We had good weather most of the time. He was so grateful to family and friends for their loving care.
   From an Aching Heart, [signed] Eleanor Ostwald

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation